slowly into stride, behind, pushed along halfway, never a factor, tailed off
took keen hold mid-division, pushed along 5f out, soon struggling, tailed off
keen hold tracking leaders in 4th, ridden halfway, soon behind, tailed off
slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off
tracked leader to 3f out, weakened quickly
held up towards rear, headway under pressure on outside over 3f out, went moderate 3rd inside final 2f
held up mid-division, smooth headway to track leading pair 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon in command, drew right away final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 5f out, never in contention
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened quickly
chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, driven and outpaced over 3f out
in touch, headway to track leader going well 3f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, soon beaten
John Gosden has his string in good order at present and, having shown an ability to handle the Polytrack, Shahmina is taken to open her account at the main expense of Florimund and Nimra. The last mentioned has an obvious chance judged by official BHB ratings but Gerard Butler's filly has become expensive to follow and she may be best watched now. Pochard has not progressed as much as may have been expected, while Always Stylish is entitled to improve on the evidence of his debut effort at Yarmouth but needs to. Florimund has not given much cause for optimism so far but Sir Michael Stoute has his string in good form so he has to be respected but preference is for Shahmina, who is taken to give John Gosden another winner.
Brief Passing (IRE) Karaar horse out of Rose The Brief.
King Forever 6-1 (9-0) Towards rear and keen, headway 3f out, no further impression, 6th of 12, 13l behind Agilete (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) pol.
Kai Kuri (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 6f out, no further progress, 8th of 15, 22l behind Sirnando (11-0) at Stratford 2m nhf (4) gf (N.Hunt).
Always Stylish (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leader after 2f, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 18l behind Billich (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f mdn aut stk (5) frm in Jul.
Florimund 10-1 (9-3) Towards rear, stayed on steadily final 2f, never dangerous, 11th of 19, 8l behind Farringdon (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Nimra (USA) 6-4fav (8-9) Soon led, narrowly headed 3f out, ridden to regain narrow lead just inside final furlong, headed and outpaced final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Adelfia (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn fll (4) pol in Aug.
Pochard 28-1 (9-1) Keen, held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind High Treason (9-11) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Shahmina (IRE) 10-3 (8-9) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Adelfia (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn fll (4) pol in Aug.